17 websites better than 1?

[Cadwalader]

I need some feedback on a situation:

My boss has 17 different websites that all sell similar things. I don't think he understands that if there were an advantage to this, Amazon.com and e-Bay would certianly do it. Right?
Now for the kicker: There are 2 huge rack-mounted servers next to my desk, so scalability is not an issue. One is running, (it anly has 2 sites on it) and the other is brand new and has never been hooked up; and there is a T1 at out the back. Not only would it be cheaper, it would be easier and more efficient to maintain. I need a little input on this because I don't think he is going to just take my word for it. Any feedback?

Thanks, ya'll!
--Rich

PS: I am not trying to "start" anything...I just need some professionals to back me up on this to make my words carry more weight--if ya know what I mean.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

I would think it really depends.

Are these similar in nature? Amazon does all entertainment things.

Also are these going to be tracked differently, or used as different businesses? Then you would need the sites seperated. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

Please, if you find my post useful, let me know.

 

[Cadwalader]

Thanks for replaying...

Yes, the products are similar in nature. Herbal health stuff.
All the items, about 12 or so, are tracked the same, and the payment transactions are being done through a Yahoo! Store. There are 2 of those, and if there is a reason for that, then 2 websites is better than 17. Oh, and there is only one tax form filled out at the end of the year that covers everything.
I am just thinking of efficiency here, ya know?

--Rich

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

Are all the site generating sales?

Hope this helps Wullie

sales@freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.com

http://www.searchit-now.co.uk

 

[deecee]

heres effecinecy....fire the boss and take over the business.....or just make the changes anyway and keep the originals as backup and show him how much more effecient it is.....this way if he gets cranky replace what you did
whos that behind you?

 

[Cadwalader]

Hello,

Only about two of them are pulling in any money. The rest of them are in the red (I think).
BTW, can anyone point me in the direction of knowledge it takes to set up a server to take credit cards and all that--like the big boys? Because the boss has all the hardware, I see no reason to "farm out" the transactions, ya know?

Thanks...
--Rich